Description
Homemade Stromboli with Cheesy Meat Filling features a golden, crispy pizza dough crust wrapped around a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef and pork, melty mozzarella, and provolone cheese. This warm and comforting Italian dish is perfect for family dinners, parties, or meal prep, offering a balanced flavor of savory meat, cheesy goodness, and subtle spices. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it easy to prepare, with plenty of options for customization and dietary adaptations.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 portion pizza dough (fresh or store-bought)
Meat Filling
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (cold)
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese (cold)
For Finishing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef and pork until browned and cooked through. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Allow the mixture to cool slightly to avoid melting the cheese too soon.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a large rectangle approximately 12×16 inches, keeping an even thickness for uniform cooking and good filling support.
- Layer the Cheese and Meat: Evenly spread cold shredded mozzarella and provolone cheese over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Distribute the prepared meat filling evenly on top of the cheese layer.
- Roll and Seal: Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough tightly over the filling. Pinch and seal the edges well to prevent any filling leakage during baking.
- Brush and Bake: Transfer the rolled stromboli to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the entire surface with olive oil followed by egg wash for a golden, shiny crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, until crust is crisp and filling is hot and bubbly.
- Rest and Slice: Let the stromboli rest for about 10 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set. This helps achieve clean slices without spilling the cheesy meat filling.
Notes
- Roll the dough gently and evenly to avoid holes and thin spots that could leak filling.
- Do not overfill the stromboli to prevent soggy dough and uneven cooking.
- Use cold shredded cheese to maintain distinct layers and melt perfectly during baking.
- Allow the stromboli to rest after baking for clean slicing without messy filling spills.
- For an extra crispy crust, bake on a preheated pizza stone if available.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg